Folding table.



No. 665,76l. Patented Ian. 8, I90! S. M. SNOOK, .7 v V FOLDING TABLE.(Application filed an 2a. 1900.

IN VE N TOR D'L'man M J Ill/071i.

UNITED STATES PATENT- Grace.

SIMON M. SNOOK, OF SORANTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

FOLDING TABLE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 665,761, dated January8, 1901.

Application filed May 23, 1900. semi No. 17,723. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern..-

Be it known that I, SIMON M. SNOOK, a citizen of the United States, anda resident of Scranton, in the county of Lackawanna and State ofPennsylvania, have invented a new and Improved Folding Table, of whichthe following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The invention relates to knockdown or folding furniture; and its objectis to provide a new and improved folding table which is siniple anddurable in construction, easily set up, and arranged for convenientfolding or storing in a comparatively small space.

The invention consists of novel features and parts and combinations ofthe same, as will be fully described hereinafter and then pointed out inthe claims.

A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in theaccompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in whichsimilar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both theviews.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the im-' provement extended or set up,and Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same folded.

The improved folding table is provided with crossed legs A A forsupporting a table-top B, preferably in the shape of an ironing-tabletop, as is plainly indicated in Fig. 1. On the upper cross-bars A A ofthe legs A A and on the inside thereof are secured lugs O C, on whichare pivoted the upper ends of the parts D D of a reach D for connectingthe two legs with each other, said parts of the reach extending inV-shaped form when the table is extended and being folded one inside ofthe other when the table is folded, as shown in Fig. 2, said reach partsbeing pivotally connected with each other at their lower ends by atransverse pivot E, as is plainly indicated in the drawings. As shown,the reach part D is preferably formed of two bars, while the reach partD is a single bar adapted to pass between the two bars of the reach partD when the table is folded up, as shown in Fig. 2. On the reach parts DD are secured lugs F F, respectively, on which are pivoted braces G G,formed with catches H H, adapted to hook upon the lower cross-bars A Aof the legs A A, respectively. Each catch H and H is formed with anincline H extending from the catch proper inwardly to ride on thecorresponding cross-bar A or A when extending the device from the foldedposition shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 1, the said inclinesguiding the catches H H into a locking engagement with the cross-bars AA when the crossed legs A A are moved apart and the reach parts D Dopened. Thus when the operator extends the table by moving the legs A Aapart the braces will automatically lock with the cross-bars A A withoutrequiring any attention on the part of the operator. When the table isto be folded, the catches H H are first lifted out of engagement withthe cross-bars A A and upon moving the legs A A toward each other thebraces will ride outwardly over the cross-bars to finally drop or swinginto a depending position outside of the said cross-bars, as plainlyindicated in Fig. 2. It is understood that the lugs F F are ofsufficient length to permit the movement of the braces, as described.

By the arrangement described a very firm supporting structure isprovided for the table-top B when the device is to be used as a table,as shown in Fig. 1, it being understood that the braces G G preventaccidental folding of the reach parts.

When it is desired to fold the table, the table-top is first removedfrom the legs A A, and then the catches H H are disengaged from the barsA A and allowed to slide through the crossed legs, while the reach partD is folded between the bars of the other reach part D after which apivoted catch I on one of said bars of the reach part D is swung overinto the path of the other reach part D, so as to lock the two reachparts together and prevent the same from opening accidentally while thetable is in a folded position.

By reference to Fig. 2 it will be seen that the lugs F F are so disposedon the reach parts and the braces G G are of such length that the lowerends of said braces are in alinement with the lower end of the reachparts whenthe table is in a folded position, so that the folded tablewill stand in a vertical position on a floor or the like withoutrequiring further support. By reference to Fig. 2 it will also be seenthat the braces G G extend approximately parallel to the folded reach Dand are spaced therefrom, so as to act as legs for the reach and supportthe folded table in an upright position.

On the outer sides of the cross-bars A A of the legs A are securedstaples J J, adapted to be engaged by hooks K K, secured to the underside of the table-top B, so that the latter can be held upon the saidstaples, as shown in Fig. 2, at the time the table structure is in afolded position. Thus the several parts are united when in afoldedposition, and at the same time the folded structure can beconveniently set on the floor without further support.

In order to prevent shifting of the table-top B in a forwarddirection,the under side of the said table-top is provided near its basewith a pin or screw L, adapted to project down in one of the staples Jor abut against the outer face of the cross-bar A on the leg A.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim as new anddesire tosecure by Letters Patent 1. A folding table, comprising a pair ofcrossed legs, each leg being provided with a lower cross-bar, a reachpivotally connected at its ends to the said legs at or near the upperends thereof, the said reach being made in parts, a pivot for connectingthe reach parts with each other, braces pivoted to the said reach parts,and catches on the free ends of the said braces'and adapted to hook onthe said lower cross-bars, the catches having inclines extending towardthe said pivot, and the said inclines being arranged to ride on the saidcross-bars to guide the catch into locking position on the cross-barwhen opening up the reach, as set forth.

2. A folding table, comprising a pair of crossed legs, a reach forconnecting the legs with each other, said reach consisting of partspivotally connected with each other and adapted to fold one into theother, the upper ends of the reach parts, being pivoted to the uppercross-bars of said legs, braces pivoted to the said reach parts andadapted to lock on the lower cross-bars of said legs, and a catch on oneof the reach parts for locking the other reach partin position whenfolded, substantially as shown and described.

3. A folding table, comprising a pair of crossed legs, a reach forconnecting the legs with each other, said reach consisting of partspivotally connected with each other and adapted to fold one into theother, the upper ends of the reach parts being pivoted to the uppercross-bars of said legs, braces pivoted to the said reach parts andadapted to lock on the lower cross-bars of said legs, a catch on one ofthereach parts for locking the other reach part in position when folded,a tabletop having hooks, and staples on the crossbars of one of thelegs, and engaged by said hooks to support the table-top on said legs,as set forth.

4. A folding table, comprising a pair of cross-legs having top andbottom cross-bars, a reach made in parts pivotally connected with eachother, the free ends of the said reach parts being pivoted to the uppercrossvbars of the said legs, braces pivoted on the reach parts andhaving catches for engaging the lower cross-bars of the said crossedlegs, staples on the cross-bars of one of the legs,

from the said legs, as set forth.

5. A folding table, comprising a pair of crossed legs with cross-bars, afolding reach for connecting the legs with each other, said reachconsisting of parts pivotally connected with each other and pivotallyconnected to the upper cross-bars of the said legs, lugs secured to thereach parts, braces pivoted on the said lugs, and catches on the bracesfor engaging the lower cross-bars of the legs when :the device isext-ended, said braces being located outside the lower cross-bars whenthe device is folded, substantially as shown and Witnesses:

DALBYS L. FIOKES, O. A. CRANDALL.

